ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
A high quality modern organic testing lab will be set up in Sikkim to promote organic produce of the State- Shri Piyush Goyal
Let us set a target to export $ 1 billion dollar organic product by 2030 from existing $1 million dollar organic produce in Sikkim- Shri Goyal
Centre is ready to set up National Institute of Design and National Institute of Packaging Campus in Sikkim if lands provided by the State Government- Shri Goyal
Sikkim being a fully organic state, Centre has decided to set up a high quality modern organic testing lab in the State to promote organic produce of the State, said the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal. He was addressing an interaction programme with Sikkim Chamber of Commerce & Industry representatives organised by FICCI at Gangtok today. He also urged to set a target to export $ 1 billion dollar organic product by 2030 from existing $1million dollar organic produce in Sikkim. The Minister also suggested for organic, sustainable and clean renewable energy. He suggested lab for organic testing in the State- farm to lab - traceability check. He also insisted to use existing infrastructure for up scaling economic activities.
He said that Sikkim has potential to become a sustainable State and an Organic State. He apprised that such achievements will give more value and leverage to boost tourism in the State. He stressed on local youth to work on design and packaging facility as well. He informed, Centre is ready to set up National Institute of Design and National Institute of Packaging Campus in Sikkim if lands are provided by the State Government.
In the afternoon, Shri Piyush Goyal, chaired a review meeting with Government Officials here at the Conference hall of Tashiling Secretariat in Gangtok today. The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim, Shri Vijay Bhushan Pathak and DC Gangtok, Shri Tushar Nikhare and several other officers.
Shir Piyush Goyal begin his tour today with an interactive meeting with the HoDs and Officers from various line departments on issues such as implementation of programmes and policies of Central Ministries such as Progress of PM Gatishakti, National Oil Palm Mission, Expenditure of MoCI, CAFPD and Textiles under GBD.
He also reviewed Rubber plantation and production for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and mechanisms for Organic State such as Testing Facility, Blockchain and Exporting facility. Further, he said that large cardamom, spices, homestay and organic farming should be focused which will help the youth to become self-employed.
The Minister is on a three-day visits to Sikkim and will be meeting with Government Officials and stakeholders related to Commerce and Industries.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
Household Consumer Expenditure Survey
The National Statistical Office , Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation carried out an all-India survey on household consumption expenditure in the 75th round during the period July 2017 to June 2018. The Consumer Expenditure Survey  is usually conducted at quinquennial intervals andthe last survey on consumer expenditure was conducted in the 68th round .The NSS Consumer Expenditure Survey generates estimates of household Monthly Per Capita Consumer Expenditure  and the distribution of households and persons over the MPCE classes. It is designed to collect information regarding expenditure on consumption of goods and services  consumed by households. The results, after release, are also used for rebasing of the GDP and other macro-economic indicators.
2. The Ministry has seen the media reports regarding consumer expenditure survey by the NSS stating that consumer spending is falling and the report has been withheld due to its ‘adverse’ findings. We would like to emphatically state that there is a rigorous procedure for vetting of data and reports which are produced through surveys. All such submissions which come to the Ministry are draft in nature and cannot be deemed to be the final report.
3. Further, the results of the survey were examined and it was noted that there was a significant increase in the divergence in not only the levels in the consumption pattern but also the direction of the change when compared to the other administrative data sources like the actual production of goods and services. Concerns were also raised about the ability/sensitivity of the survey instrument to capture consumption of social services by households especially on health and education. The matter was thus referred to a Committee of experts which noted the discrepancies and came out with several recommendations including a refinement in the survey methodology and improving the data quality aspects on a concurrent basis. The recommendations of the Committee are being examined for implementation in future surveys.
4. The Advisory Committee on National Accounts Statistics has also separately recommended that for rebasing of the GDP series, 2017-18 is not an appropriate year to be used as the new base year.
5. In view of the data quality issues, the Ministry has decided not to release the Consumer Expenditure Survey results of 2017-2018. The Ministryis separately examining the feasibility of conducting the next Consumer Expenditure Survey in 2020-2021 and 2021-22 after incorporating all data quality refinementsin the survey process.
Prime Minister's Office
PM flags off Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express at Secunderabad Railway Station in Hyderabad, Telangana
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express at Secunderabad Railway Station in Hyderabad, Telangana today. Upon arriving at the venue, the Prime Minister inspected the Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express and also interacted with children as well as with the train’s crew.
The Prime Minister tweeted:
“Flagged off the Vande Bharat Express that enhances connectivity between Secunderabad and Tirupati. I congratulate the people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for this train.”
Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express connecting IT City, Hyderabad with the Abode of Lord Venkateswara, Tirupati, is the second Vande Bharat train to be started from Telangana within a short span of three months. The train will reduce the travel time between the two cities by almost three and a half hours and will be particularly beneficial for pilgrims.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Governor of Telangana, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, the Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Union Minister of Tourism, Shri G Kishan Reddy on the occasion.
Ministry of Defence
INDIGENOUS DEFENCE PRODUCTION
With focus on Aatmanirbharta and efforts made to achieve self-reliance, the value of Defence Production has increased as follows in last three years:
|
|
Financial Year
|
|
Value of Defence Production
|
|
2019-2020
|
|
79,071
|
|
2020-2021
|
|
84,643
|
|
2021-2022
|
|
94,845

Further, with consistent efforts in last few years, many significant projects including 155mm Artillery Gun system ‘Dhanush’, Advanced Towed Artillary Guns , Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, Surface to Air Missile system ‘Akash’, Main Battle Tank ‘Arjun’, T-90 Tank, T-72 Tank, Armoured Personnel Carrier ‘BMP-II/IIK’, Su-30 MK1, Cheetah Helicopter, Advanced Light Helicopter, Dornier Do-228, High Mobility Trucks, INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Chennai, Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette , Arjun Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle, Bridge Laying Tank, Bi-Modular Charge System  for 155mm Ammunition, Medium Bullet Proof Vehicle , Weapon Locating Radar , Integrated Air Command and Control System , Software Defined Radios , Lakshya Parachute for Pilotless Target Aircraft, Opto Electronic Sights for Battle Tanks, Water Jet Fast Attack Craft, Inshore Patrol Vessel, Offshore Patrol Vessel, Fast Interceptor Boat, Landing Craft Utility, 25 T Tugs, etc. have been produced in the country.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Thomas Chazhikadan in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to release third positive indigenisation list of major equipment/platforms tomorrow
In another major step to achieve ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, Ministry of Defence is coming out with third positive indigenisation list. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will release, in New Delhi on April 07, 2022, the third list comprising major equipment/platforms, which are scheduled to be completely indigenised by December 2025.
This third list builds on the first list of 101 items and second list of 108 items that were promulgated on August 21, 2020 and May 31, 2021 respectively. The major items in the first list include 155mm/39 Cal Ultra-Light Howitzer, Light Combat Aircraft  Mk-IA – Enhanced Indigenised Content, Conventional Submarines and Communication Satellites GSAT-7C. The major items in the second list include Next Generation Corvette, Land Based MRSAM Weapon System, Smart Anti-Field Weapon System  Mk-I, Onboard Oxygen Generation System  based integrated life support system for fighter aircraft and 1000HP Engine for Tank .
The third list will consist of over 100 items, including complex equipment and systems which are being developed and likely to translate into firm orders over the next five years. Orders worth more than Rs 2,10,000 crore are likely to be placed on the Industry in the next five years as part of the items covered in the third list. With the notification, over 300 sophisticated items will be covered, ranging from complex weapon systems to critical platforms such as Armoured vehicles, combat aircraft, submarines etc.
Progress achieved
Since the notification of the first and second lists, contracts for 31 projects worth Rs 53,839 crore have been signed by the Armed Forces. Acceptance of Necessity  for 83 projects worth Rs 1,77,258 crore have been accorded. In addition, cases worth Rs 2,93,741 crore will be progressed in the next five-seven years.
Vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’
The notification of the third list is a major initiative to achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing and shows the growing confidence of the Government in the domestic industry that they can create and supply equipment of international standards to meet the demand of the Armed Forces. The aim of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is to achieve sustained security, essential for a sovereign nation, without relying on imports from other countries. The objective is to build the domestic industry in order to make India a defence manufacturing hub which not only caters to the domestic needs, but also fulfils international requirements.
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Hope Summer Rebels gives moral support for many families, in this difficult situation: Director Martina Sakova
“The film promotes friendship, trust, belongingness and love”
Panaji, 20 January 2021
An 11-year-old boy defies his mother and runs away from his home in Germany to Slovakia, in search of his grandfather, only to realize that his grandpa is not as friendly as he imagined him to be. Speaking about the adventures of this boy, Director Martina Sakova of Summer Rebels, an IFFI 51 World Panorama film, said: "The story is told through the eyes of an 11-year old boy. I hope this story acts as a moral support for many families, in this difficult situation these days. The film contains themes of friendship, trust and feelings of belonging and love. I hope that the audience will perceive these feelings we have put in it, and the special humour will make them feel better." She was addressing a press conference on Day 5  at the 51st edition of the International Film Festival of India.
“I too had problems with a split family in my childhood, but I had a good time with my grandparents”, confessed the debut feature film Director. She said that Eliás Vyskocil, the child actor who plays the role of the young boy Jonas, was spontaneous and talented and open to new ways of acting that the character demanded.
To a question on why the title ‘Summer Rebels’ was chosen for the movie, she said “the child characters don’t like the status quo, they seek change any how”.
Speaking about her presence at IFFI, the Director said: "I am very happy to be here in Goa and show this film. I've never been to India before, and am very thankful to the film festival for keeping this film culture alive."
About Summer Rebels
In Martina Sakova's Summer Rebels, a “bilingual comedy-adventure”, young Jonas  wants to spend his holidays with his grandpa. He really, really wants to – even though his exhausted mum has already made other plans. A bit of a hothead, that much is clear, soon enough, Jonas is on the run from Germany to Slovakia. Only to realise that his beloved grandfather Bernard is now a tad grumpier that he remembered, so all that's left to do is to embark on new adventures and mischief with a local girl in a baseball cap Alex . Both getting up to crazy ideas that lead to trouble. A summer-imbued adventure of friendship and selflessness that reminds us that dreaming is both invaluable and ageless.
President's Secretariat
President of India to visit Assam and Mizoram from May 3 to 6
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind will visit Assam and Mizoram from May 3 to 6, 2022.
On May 4, 2022, the President will address the 61st annual conference of Bodo Sahitya Sabha at Tamulpur, Assam. On the same day, he will also grace the valedictory function of North East Festival at Guwahati, organized by the Ministry of DoNER as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
On May 5, 2022, the President will address the 16th convocation of the Mizoram University at Aizawl.
Ministry of Finance
Direct Tax Collections for F.Y. 2017-2018 show Growth of 18.2% up to December, 2017
The provisional figures of Direct Tax collections up to December, 2017 show that net collections are at Rs. 6.56 lakh crore which is 18.2% higher than the net collections for the corresponding period of last year. The net Direct Tax collections represent 67% of the total Budget Estimates of Direct Taxes for Financial Year  2017-18 . Gross collections  have increased by 12.6% to Rs. 7.68 lakh crore during April to December, 2017. Refunds amounting to Rs.1.12 lakh crorehave been issued during April to December, 2017.
An amount of Rs. 3.18 lakh crore has been received as Advance Tax up to December, 2017 reflecting a growth of 12.7% over the Advance Tax payments of the corresponding period of last year. The growth in Corporate Income Tax  Advance Tax is 10.9% and that in Personal Income Tax  Advance Tax is 21.6%.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and Australia for Cooperation in the Disability Sector
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Australiafor Cooperation in the Disability Sector.The MoU was signed at Sydney, Australia on 22nd November 2018.
Benefits:
The MoU will encourage cooperation between India and Australia, through joint initiatives in the disability sector. It will strengthen bilateral ties between India and Australia. Further, the MoU will facilitate in improving rehabilitation of persons with disabilities especially for persons with intellectual disability and mental illness in both the countries. Both the countries will take up specific proposals in disability sector as mutually agreed upon, for implementation.
Prime Minister's Office
PM arrives in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi arrived at Port Moresby in the evening of 21 May 2023. In a special gesture, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, H.E. Mr. James Marape received Prime Minister Modi at the airport. A salute of 19 guns and Guard of honour were accorded to Prime Minister Modi.
This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Papua New Guinea. The visit underscores the close friendship of India with the Pacific Island countries.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Drone use permission to Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University 
Permission for evaluation and standardization of plant protection solutions and developing protocols for diagnosis of major pests and diseases
Aligning with the objectives of the Government of India to promote the scope of drone usage in the country, the Ministry of Civil Aviation  and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation  have granted conditional exemption to Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University  to use drones. The drone usage exemption has been granted for the evaluation and standardization of plant protection solutions, Agri Spraying, and developing protocols for the diagnosis of major pests and diseases in PJTSAU research farms in Telangana.
The conditional exemption is valid till 16th March 2022 from the date of issue of the letter or until the full operationalization of Digital Sky Platform , whichever is earlier. This exemption shall be valid only if all conditions and limitations as stated below are strictly adhered to. In case of violation of any condition, this exemption shall become null and void.
Conditions and limitations to the PJTSAU & Marut Dronetech Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad for drone usage:
- Operating restrictions must be adhered to as stipulated in extant Govt. regulations.
- Compliance of conditions on the permissions or exemptions from various agencies such as MOCA/DGCA/MOD/IAF/AAl/State/District/Civic Authorities. Third-Party Insurance shall be in place before operations.
- Adherence to SOP, however, these may change, for any unavoidable conditions if arises which may be recorded in writing.
- Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University  and Marut Dronetech Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad shall be responsible for safe operation and legal issue if any on account of any damage occurred to any person or property.
- DGCA & MOCA shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage to any life/property arising from or related to this activity.
- This SOP shall be valid exclusively for Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University  for evaluation and standardization of plant protection solutions and developing protocols for diagnosis of major pests and diseases using drones in PJTSAU research farms, Telangana.
- The above approval is without prejudice to the compliance of the provisions of extant Rules, Applicable Civil Aviation Requirements , and various Circulars issued by DGCA from time to time. Further if at any time during the aforesaid validity of this approval any violations found then this approval may be altered, suspended, or cancelled without giving any reasons thereof.
Link to Public Notice
Ministry of Education
NAV BHARAT LITERACY PROGRAMME
The Union of India has approved a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, namely, “New India Literacy Programme ” with the aim to support the States and Union Territories in promoting literacy among non-literates in the age group of 15 and above, across the country covering 5 crore non-literates during the implementation period from 2022-23 to 2026-27. The scheme has been approved with a financial outlay of Rs.1037.90 crore including Central share of Rs.700.00 crore and State share of Rs.337.90 crore. The scheme has five components namely, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Vocational Skills Development, Basic Education and Continuing Education.
The salient features of the NILP are  involvement of school students, pre-service students of Higher Education Institutions , school teachers, Anganwadi and ASHA workers, NYKS, NSS, NCC volunteers,  school to be unit for implementation of the scheme  use of ICT and online implementation of the scheme through ‘Online Teaching Learning and Assessment System’   material and resources through digital modes, viz, TV, radio, cell phone-based free/open-source Apps/portals, etc.  Assessment tests to be conducted in schools by State/UTs and evaluation of learners by NIOS/SIOS; assessment on demand through OTLAS and generation of e-certificates,  Sample achievement survey and  Online MIS.
The information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Union Minister Mrs Meenakshi Lekhi visits Khadi Pavilion in IITF
Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Mrs Meenakshi Lekhi on Saturday visited the “Khadi India Pavilion” at the ongoing India International Trade Fair 2021, at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Mrs Lekhi took to a traditional Charkha and spun Pashmina wool at the Trade Fair.
She also witnessed the live demonstration of clay pottery on an electric potter wheel, making of handmade paper, eco-friendly agarbatti, handmade paper slippers, oil extraction, etc. Mrs Lekhi lauded the initiatives of KVIC in creating self-employment and strengthening the rural economy.
She exhorted upon the people to contribute to nation building by promoting and patronizing Khadi. The Minister purchased Silk Sarees, honey vinegar and wooden toys from various Khadi stalls. She also placed a bulk order for wooden toys.